Meditation, Mindfulness and the relativity of thought in Buddhism

Meditation is a western word, but it has come to mean a lot in a Buddhist context. Below you will find first my own and then other people's reflections on the topic. Ultimately though - whichever meditation style you choose, DOING IT is the only way to go. Words can only go so far.

What is mindfulness?

In our busy lives it's very easy to get wrapped up in everything but what works for us. Running from job to job, from chore to chore, dealing with clients, your boss, kids, partner etc... it can leave you stressed.

The only way to avoid getting worked up about that, is to take it slow every once in a while. One way of doing that daily, is by practicing mindfulness.

Mindfulness (as a psychological technique) is a form of meditation in which one is constantly brought back to what's here, right now. It can mean taking three breaths, or three minutes to just breath. It can mean focussing on the tensions in your body for a while. It can mean looking at your feelings and letting them just be - no need to do anything about them. It can mean watching your mind and just letting those thoughts be. More about secular mindfulness meditation here.

In mindfulness Buddhism and Psychology meet. Mindfulness is a somewhat liberal translation of the Pali 'sati' and the Sanskrit 'smrti'. Those words mean something like 'remembrance'. Remembering to breath, remembering to pay attention, remembering to stay in the moment. There are four aspects of mindfulness in the Theravada Vipassana tradition: mindfulness of body (and breath), of emotion, of thoughts and of everything. Traditionally, when it comes to thoughts and 'everything', meditation on Buddhist doctrine is included.